Blade holder and blade

ABSTRACT

A TUBULAR BLADE HOLDER PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR MOUNTING A SURGICAL BLADE AT AN ANGLE TO THE AXIS OF THE HOLDER EMBODYING AN ELONGATED SLEEVE, A SHAFT EXTENDING AXIALLY THERETHROUGH HAVING A HEAD FOR CLAMPING THE BLADE AGAINST ONE END OF THE SLEEVE, A KNOB AT THE OPPOSITE END HAVING A SCREW THREADED ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SHAFT PERMANENTLY   BUT ROTATIVELY SECURED TO THE SLEEVE, THE KNOB BEING ENGAGEABLE AGAINST A COMPRESSION SPRING ADAPTED TO BE COMPRESSED INTO A SOLID NON-ELASTIC CONDITION FOR POSITIVE LOCKING OF THE BLADE.

Dec. 14, 1971 G, LA 5 EI'AL 3,626,592

BLADE HOLDER AND BLADE Filed NOV. 13, 1969 United States Patent M3,626,592 BLADE HOLDER AND BLADE George A. La Cas and William S. Smith,Staunton, Va., assignors to Philip Morris Incorporated, New York, N.Y.

Filed Nov. 13, 1969, Ser. No. 876,331 Int. Cl. B26b 5/00 US. Cl. 30339 8Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tubular blade holder particularlyadapted for mounting a surgical blade at an angle to the axis of theholder embodying an elongated sleeve, a shaft extending axiallytherethrough having a head for clamping the blade against one end of thesleeve, a knob at the opposite end having a screw threaded engagementwith the shaft permanently but rotatively secured to the sleeve, theknob being engageable against a compression spring. adapted to becompressed into a solid non-elastic condition for positive locking ofthe blade.

THE PRIOR ART IN GENERAL Blades of the general type concerned incombination with holders therefor have been in common use for many yearsand are disclosed in various United States patents of which the patentsto Maltz 2,215,125 and Waugh 2,257,141 may be regarded as illustrative.Each of these shows a surgical blade having a keyhole slot engaged oversome sort of locking means. In the instruments of the above-notedpatents the mounting and locking means for the blade includes anarrangement in which an element is adapted to be engaged in the slot andapplying the blade requires sliding the blade longitudinally while it isin a flexed condition until it falls or snaps into position. Removal ofthe blade normally involves similar flexing and endwise manipulation.Because of the extreme sharpness of the blades and their relativelysmall size the operation of applying and removing a blade has presentedserious hazards. Furthermore, with that type of locking means alooseness may occur which is a dangerous condition where the instrumentis employed in delicate surgical operations. The recent patentapplication of Fischl Ser. No. 659,412 filed Aug. 9, 1967 which becamePat. No. 3,486,229 on Dec. 30, 1969 discloses a blade holder whichobviates the disadvantages just described comprising a tubular memberhaving a clamping surface at one end with a clamping shaft provided witha T- shaped clamping head for engaging the blade at said one end of thetubular member and screw threaded means at the opposite end foradjusting the shaft longitudinally to effect the clamping of the blade.

Prior to said Fischl application various patents disclosed other typesof locking or clamping means for removably securing cutting elements orother implements to a handle employing in general a shaft and acooperating nut which draws the shaft axially and clamps the blade orother implement against a stop or abutment. Representative of such typesof implement holding means are the patents to Cline 2,272,649; Crocker633,571; Fesler 2,109,108; Fletcher 2,242,700; and Heigle 2,431,- 118.Heigle discloses a handle for removably mounting various blades or otherimplements and it embodies a spring within the barrel type handleagainst which the end knob engages in clamping the implement and theimplement is held against stop means solely by compressive tension inthe spring. In Heigle when no implement is mounted on the handle theknob normally projects outwardly from the sleeve and is free to separatecompletely from the handle when unscrewed sufiiciently. None of3,626,592 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 the last noted group of patents,however discloses a holder means embodying a planar clamping surface anda co operative T-shaped clamping head adapted to secure a keyhole typeblade.

THE PRESENT INVENTION The instrument of the present invention embodiesvarious detailed features many of which are disclosed per se in theprior art, but the instrument as a whole comprises a new combinationcapable of functioning in a different and advantageous manner notafforded by the prior art devices. Of importance is the arrangement of aclamping spring of a particular character and association of otherelements therewith. As disclosed in the representative embodiment a coilcompression spring is located within the tubular sleeve of the holderbetween the rotary knob and an opposed abutment means in a manner suchthat initial rotation progressively compresses the spring and applies anelastic or spring clamping force on the cutting blade and furtherrotation of the knob beyond two or three turns compresses the spring toits limit so that in effect it becomes a solid ring and the blade ispositively clamped in place. Thus the securing of the blade to thehandle is made easier, it being retained under the clamping head uponinitial tension on the spring and finally is positively and rigidlyclamped on the handle. Danger of looseness of the blade is avoided asmay occur with a clamping means which depends solely on solid engagementof the elements.

In association with the foregoing features the instrument embodies aclamping means which includes a clamping knob which is firmly butrotatively secured to the handle sleeve and accordingly prevents escapeof the knob and accidental loss thereof. The knob is initially formed astwo elements comprising a first element into which the sleeve isthreaded, the sleeve and first element having interengaging parts toprevent the first element from escape from the sleeve. Followingassembly of the first element on the sleeve the second element which hasthe threaded portion for engagement with the concentric axiallyextending locking shaft is telescopically slipped over the first elementand an annular area therof is rolled down into an annular groove of thefirst element permanently securing the two together and thereby securingthe knob as a whole rotatably but permanently attached to the sleeve.

The combination is particularly adapted for securing a surgical bladehaving a keyhole slot therein upon the handle and arranged at an acuteangle to the axis of the holder.

The construction, operation and advantages of the instrument will becomemore fully apparent from the description to follow considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the completely assembled instrument;

FIG. 2 is a similar view with the instrument rotated from the positionshown in FIG. 1 and showing in broken lines some of the internalconstruction;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view on an enlargedscale of the adjusting knob and the elements located internally thereof;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken on the plane 44 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the end portion of the locking shaftshowing the character of the T-shaped clamping head; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a typical surgical blade adapted to be mountedon the handle as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The general elements of the instrument include an elongated handle inthe form of a hollow sleeve 10 in which is coaxially mounted a shaft 11shown in part particularly in FIG. 3 and in broken lines in FIG. 2.Removably clamped to the outer end of the tubular sleeve is a cuttingblade 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an individual blade being shown inplan in FIG. 6. An adjusting knob 13 is permanently but rotatablysecured to the sleeve 10. The knob is internally threaded as indicatedat 14 to receive the threaded end 15 of the shaft 11. Concentricallymounted on the shaft 11 Within the hollow chamber 16 of the adjustingknob is a washer 17 and a coil spring 18 engaged between the washer 1'7and the inner wall 19 of the adjusting knob.

The shaft 11 is provided with an axially extending groove 25 and thesleeve 10 has an inwardly bent finger 26 engaged in the groove 25whereby the shaft is maintained non-rotatable with respect to the sleeve10. The end of the tubular holder member 10 is provided with a generallyplane clamping surface against which the blade 12 is adapted to beclamped. The relation of the blade to the holder may be varied dependentupon the circumstances but in the specific embodiment the clampingsurface 27 and correspondingly the blade 12 are arranged at an acuteangle to the axis of the holder as shown particularly in FIG. 2.Likewise the character of the clamping means may vary but a particularlyconvenient and effective type for a blade of the character shown in FIG.6 comprises a T-shaped clamping head 28 having laterally extendingflanges 29 the flanges being generally parallel to the blade seat 27 asdictated by the relation of finger 26 to the shaft groove 25.

As previously noted the blade may vary in character but desirably may beof a well known type having a keyhole opening 30. In assembling theparts the wider portion 31 of the opening 30 is adapted to be slippedover the head 28 of the shaft clamping means and the blade then slidlongitudinally whereby the narrower portion opening 32 occupies aposition under the lateral flanges 29 and clamping is effected bydrawing the shaft toward the clamping surface 27 by means of the screwthreaded means .14, 15.

Initially the knob 13 is formed as two separate elements including arear portion 35 having the hollow chamber 16 and a forward couplingmember 36. The construction and functional relationship and advantagesof the knob arrangement may be particularly pointed out by describingthe manner of assembly of the knob with respect to the sleeve 10. Firstthe spring '18 is inserted within the hollow chamber 16 of knob portion35 followed by the washer 17 and then the end of the long sleeve 10 isinserted and finally the coupling or bushing member 36 is slid over thetube and telescoped within the inner open end of the knob portion 35.The coupling member 36 is provided with an annular groove 37 and afterthe elements 36 and 35 are brought into engagement in the position shownin FIG. 3 the outer surface of the rear member 35 is rolled down intothe groove 37 permanently and rigidly securing together the elements 35and 36. It will be noted that the sleeve 10 is provided with two lateral(fingers 40 (FIG. 4) extending radially from the inner end of the sleeve10 whereby when the knob parts 35 and 36 have been secured together theknob 13 as a whole is prevented from being removed outwardly to theright in FIG. 3 from the sleeve 10.

Spring 18 is a rather stiff coil spring which may vary in number ofturns and length dependent upon the proportions of the other elementsbut as a specific example in the case of a handle in which the tubularmember has a diameter of about Mi in. the spring 18 has a free length ofabout .290 in. and a solid compressed length of about .200 in. When theshaft 111 is inserted and the knob 13 rotated the screw threadedconnection draws the shaft 11 to the right and assuming that a blade hasbeen applied over the clamping head 28, as rotation of the knob 13continues, it initially acts through the spring 18, washer 17 and sleeve10 to apply an impositive or an elastic force drawing the blade againstthe clamping surface 27 and immediately holds the blade in placesufficiently so that it does not drop off and as further rotation isapplied to the knob 13 the spring 18 gradually compresses and reachesits limit of compression and finally becomes in effect a solid sleevemember and the blade is firmly and rigidly clamped. Normally about twoturns of the knob after initial engagement against the spring forceeffect a complete rigid clamping of the blade in place, and the knob canbe backed off about one full turn before any substantial loosening ofthe blade occurs.

As previously noted the knob is permanently attached to the holder butfreely rotatable. Preferably the knob 13 is provided with gripping meanssuch as the knurling 42. Also the barrel or sleeve 10 may have roughenedformations 43 for better gripping and decorative purposes.

With the type of blade illustrated in FIG. 6, upon assembly to theholder it leaves a tail portion 12a extending beyond the sleeve oppositeto the cutting end which commonly would present a hazard or at least aninconvenience in the use of the knife. It will be noted that the tailend 28a of the clamping head 28 is well within the projected outline ofsleeve 10. Accordingly after the blade is clamped in place the tail end12a thereof may be snapped off and the remaining broken end is withinthe area of the clamping surface as shown in FIG. 5. The opposite end28b of the clamping head may extend to at least the periphery of thesleeve 10 as appears in FIG. 2 thereby assuring adequate area for rigidclamping of the blade.

Various changes may be made in the article described and disclosed inthe drawings and accordingly different embodiments of the invention maybe made without departing from the scope thereof and it is intended thatall matter contained herein shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A cutting instrument embodying a cutting blade and a holder fordetachably clamping the blade thereon, said holder comprising a maintubular sleeve having a blade clamping surface at one end, a shaftextending longitudinally through said holder including said clampingsurface, said shaft having a clamping head adapted to engage the bladeand clamp it against said clamping surface upon retraction of the shaft,a clamping knob having a hollow sleeve portion telescoped over the outerend of said main tubular sleeve opposite to said one end and permanentlybut rotatably secured to said main tubular sleeve at the said outer end,said knob having a screw threaded connection with said shaft forretraction thereof, a coiled compression spring within said hollowsleeve portion engageable at one end by said knob and engageable at itsopposite end against abutment means within said hollow sleeve portion.

2. An instrument in accordance with claim 1 in which rotation of theknob in the shaft retraction direction initially effects an elasticclamping effect on the blade by progressive compression of the springand continued rotation compresses the spring to its limit and effects asolid positive final clamping of the blade.

3. An instrument in accordance with claim 1 in which interengaging partsof the main sleeve and knob limit the outer movement of the knob whilepermitting rotation thereof.

4. An instrument in accordance with claim 3 in which the knob iscomprised of two elements, the first element being telescoped over theouter end of the main sleeve and having the interengaging parts to limitthe said outward movement, and the second element having the screwthreaded connection with the shaft and being telescoped over the firstelement and permanently secured thereto.

5. An instrument in accordance with claim 4 in which the means forsecuring the second element to the first element comprises an annularrib rolled in situ into an annular groove in the first element.

6. An instrument in accordance with claim 1 in which said main sleevehas radially extending fingers at its outer end and said knob has aninner annular shoulder engageable with said fingers to limit the outwardmovement of said knob relative to said main sleeve.

7. A surgical instrument embodying a cutting body and a holder fordetachably clamping the blade thereon, said holder comprising a maintubular sleeve having a blade clamping surface at one end, a shaftextending longitudinally through said holder including said clampingsurface, said shaft having a T-shaped clamping head with outer lateralflanges extending substantially parallel to said clamping surfaceadapted to engage the blade and clamp it against said clamping surfaceupon retraction of the shaft, a clamping knob permanently but rotatablysecured to said sleeve at an outer end opposite to said one end having ascrew threaded connection with said shaft for retraction thereof, ablade adapted to be engaged over said head said blade having alongitudinal slot therein with a Wide portion and a relatively narrowerportion, the wide portion being proportioned to receive therethrough thesaid clamping head, and the narrower portion being smaller than saidhead but adapted to'receive said undercut portion whereby with the bladelongitudinally shifted to bring the narrower portion in registrationwith said head retraction of said shaft by said screw threaded meansdraws the blade into firm engagement with said blade clamping surface,said knob having a hollow sleeve portion telescoped over the end of saidmain tubular sleeve opposite to said blade clamping end, and acompression spring within said hollow sleeve portion engageable at oneend by said knob and engageable at its opposite end against abutmentmeans within said main tubular sleeve.

8. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 7 in which rotation ofthe knob in the shaft retraction direction initially effects an elasticclamping eifect on the blade by progressive compression of the springand continued rotation compresses the spring to its limit and effects asolid positive final clamping of the blade.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,431,118 11/1947 Heigle 30-339 X3,486,229 12/1969 Fischl 30-339 ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner I.C. PETERS, Assistant Examiner

